Filing for medicare while still working

[PERSonalTime]

Can someone explain there experience of applying for Medicare while still working and receiving employer healthcare coverage. I would think that you'd only apply for Part A, but I'm not sure.


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[nate2953]

Generally you sign up for A/B at age 65 and pay 104.90/mo base premium for part B. But if you're working and covered under an employers group health plan, or you have coverage through a working spouse you can decline part B and sign up at a later point during a special enrollment period. Typically working folks don't sign up for B because it rarely gives additional value over what the employers group health plan. In all cases I've seen Medicare is second payer to your work insurance. Your actual benefit from having B in addition to work insurance is usually nil. You can file online for part A only.


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[splitwdw]

I just helped my mom sign up for Medicare online. I was there "just in case" she needed backup. She was a little worried about signing up online. Very easy but a strange experience, they must have asked her if she was blind or if someone was helping her at least 3 times.
You have 7 months to sign up for Medicare at 65. You can sign up 3 months before 65, the month you turn 65 and 3 months after you turn 65. My mom's still working so she just did the Part A.

 

[PERSonalTime]

Thanks folks for the informative responses! I feel much better about the 65/Part A only approach.?


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[iac1003]

My DH worked until 68 and had full insurance benefits so he did not sign up for Medicare at all until he retired. When he called Medicare they told him he already had Part A and sent him a backdated card. Who knew?

He was on my Federal BCBS insurance by that time instead of Part B so he didn't sign up for Part B until I left Federal employment. This was considered a qualifying event without penalty.


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[PERSonalTime]

My DH worked until 68 and had full insurance benefits so he did not sign up for Medicare at all until he retired. When he called Medicare they told him he already had Part A and sent him a backdated card. Who knew?

He was on my Federal BCBS insurance by that time instead of Part B so he didn't sign up for Part B until I left Federal employment. This was considered a qualifying event without penalty.


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Just curious, how did your DH get Part A without out applying for it? Does he already get social security?


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[iac1003]

DH didn't file for SS until he retired at 68. They told him then that Medicare Part A was active and was automatically included. When he got the Medicare card it was backdated to his 65th birthday. His Medicare, even Part A, was secondary to my Federal BCBS though.


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[PERSonalTime]

That's very interesting. Thanks!


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